Caring for Wood Siding for Longevity and Beauty

Wood siding is a beautiful and protective way to cover your home. But it is an investment. To enjoy it for years, maintaining it is key. Here are some tips caring for wood siding.

To avoid (very) costly repairs and keep your home looking beautiful, some proactive care is in order. The maintenance will keep your clapboard, shingles or wooden siding looking beautiful for years.

Sealing

Because of the natural aspects of wood, your sealant choice is incredibly important. Humidity and moisture will cause the wood to expand and contract so your sealer will need to as well.

Left in its natural state, wood will chip, crack and stress the seams. If your caulk seals are damaged with the changing wood, you are open to moisture getting under the wood and causing rot, ruining your siding.

Wood should be sealed with paint, stain or sealer. Here’s how to choose:

Paint sits on top of the wood and protects it. It will need to be redone about every 5 years, when deterioration begins to set in. Cracks and chips will be the first sign it’s time to repaint.

Staining penetrates into the wood to help seal against wetness. Because it’s within the wood, it is resistant to cracking and chipping. It also makes it very difficult to change the color of previously stained wood. The prep work is significantly less, which means savings either in time doing it yourself or money in hiring a crew.

Clear sealing is a good option to allow the beauty of the wood to show through while still providing a protective coating. Most sealers will have the added benefit that slows light turning the wood silvery.

Cleaning

Cleaning should be an annual process you go through in caring for wood siding. Use warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush to scrub down the siding. Start at the bottom and work to the top to avoid drip marks. Work in 20-foot sections, rinsing as you go. The dirt and some stains will be removed with this. If you run into stains, there are specific cleaning practices to remove them.

Mildew can cause a ruckus with your wood. Invest in fungus-killing cleaner. It’s available at paint or big box stores. Make sure you wear eye protection for splashing and protect your plants. Rinse thoroughly with clean water after.

Rust stains are normally from a metal nail or screw mixing with water. To remove it, address the problem. Remove the nail or screw and replace it with a galvanized version. Clean the area with a mix of oxalic acid in warm water, with the ration 4 oz. to one cup water. Wear eye protection and acid-proof gloves. Do not splash. Scrub the stain with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly.

Restoration

Restoring the natural color of your wood can prolong the good look of the siding. Many stores offer wood cleaner and brightener. It is used for decks primarily, but will work well on natural siding.

Damaged pieces of siding should be addressed as soon as you find them. Keeping the adjacent pieces intact while making the repairs can be tedious to a novice. Hiring a professional contractor can make easy work of the repairs for you.

Prevention

Water will always be the problem when caring for wood siding. Keeping a water-tight seal is the only way to protect your siding. Anywhere siding butts up to doors, windows, moldings or other architectural aspects, make sure the area is sealed with caulk. To replace missing sealant, make sure it’s a dry, warm day.

Damage can be caused by adjacent foliage against the siding. Trim trees, branches, bushes and shrubbery away from the walls. There should be enough room for you to stand between the flora and your home.

Still having problems with siding? Our experts are here to help!